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Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Strikes out four over 5.1 innings
Rotowire
Chandler didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts across 5.1 innings.
Chandler struck out Seiya Suzuki to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning, and his afternoon was done at 91 pitches. Hunter Barco closed out the sixth, and Chandler was in line for the win before the bullpen imploded late. Chandler's stuff was electric Sunday, but he was hurt by the long ball on a day the wind was gusting out to center field. Chandler served up a pair of solo shots to Dansby Swanson and Moises Ballesteros in the third inning. Chandler is still looking for his first win of the season and now owns a 3.86 ERA and 14:12 K:BB across 14 innings. Command has obviously been a problem. Chandler is in line to face the Rays at home Friday.
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Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Undone by control issues
Rotowire
Chandler (0-1) took the loss Monday against the Padres, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings.
After walking six batters in 4.1 no-hit innings in his season debut, free passes remained an issue in this outing, as Chandler struggled to consistently locate despite flashing elite velocity, touching 101 mph with his fastball. Following finding the zone with just 48 of his 83 pitches Monday, the right-hander expressed frustration postgame, noting "Hits are fine, it's stuff that's going to happen, but not competing in the zone is just pathetic," Chandler told SportsNet Pittsburgh. Walks weren't an issue during his brief 2025 stint, when the 23-year-old issued just four across 31.1 innings of work. Chandler will look to regain that level of control in his next scheduled start against the Cubs.
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Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Allows no hits in no-decision
Rotowire
Chandler didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Reds, giving up an unearned run over 4.1 no-hit innings. He walked six and struck out six.
While the right-hander managed to find strikes with only 43 of his 81 pitches, Chandler was routinely hitting triple digits with his fastball and Cincy batters couldn't get good wood on the ball when he was in the strike zone. Until he tightens up his control, however, Chandler will be tough to rely upon in fantasy lineups. The 23-year-old lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Padres.
Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Dominates in spring start
Rotowire
Chandler struck out eight batters over five innings of one-run ball Thursday against Atlanta. He allowed one hit and one walk.
Chandler struggled mightily at the beginning of spring training, but he rounded into form and then some in Thursday's exhibition. He threw his four-seam fastball 74 percent of the time, averaging 98.2 mph and generating whiffs at a 34 percent clip with the pitch. Chandler also got plenty of whiffs on his changeup (three on four pitches) and slider (two of five), but he was clearly focused on dominating with his fastball in this one. He still has a 22.4 percent walk rate and 1.45 WHIP in 11 innings this spring, however.
Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Struggles with control again
Rotowire
Chandler allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts across 1.1 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
Chandler has struggled in two spring appearances, walking seven across only three innings of work. He surrendered free passes to the first two batters he faced Saturday, though he nearly worked out of the jam. There's no indication that Chandler's spot in the Pirates' rotation is in jeopardy, but he hasn't had a strong start to the exhibition season.
Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Struggles to locate fastball
Rotowire
Chandler allowed four earned runs while walking four and striking out two across 1.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.
Chandler retired the Yankees in order in the first inning but walked four of the six batters he faced in the second frame. He ultimately threw only 14 of his 35 pitches for strikes, a concerning data point given his struggles to find the zone consistently with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2025. However, per Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Chandler purposefully lowered his velocity after topping 100 mph, which caused him to lose his attacking mentality and become erratic with his pitch placement.
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